Background: Rising tensions with Syria

August 30, 2013 |John Boyd | Houston Chronicle

STR/AFP/Getty Images

Walid Muallem

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Walid Muallem serves as Syrian foreign minister. In many ways, he is the spokesman to the world for the Assad regime. On August 27, 2013, Muallem said the government of Assad, which has been fighting an insurgency for the past 29 months, had defenses that would "surprise" the world.

STR/AFP/Getty Images

Walid Muallem

4of14

Walid Muallem serves as Syrian foreign minister. In many ways, he is the spokesman to the world for the Assad regime. On August 27, 2013, Muallem said the government of Assad, which has been fighting an insurgency for the past 29 months, had defenses that would "surprise" the world.